Aria didn't let the bodyguards help. "You don't need to go to the trouble. This bag holds my medical equipment, so I'll just carry it myself. You can do whatever you need to do."She had to meet the grandson of her grandma's old friend, too, and it would be inconvenient if she went around with such a high profile.The bodyguards knew what they should do. "Please come with us, then."Salome couldn't watch this unfold any longer. She bit out, "Are you sure that the invitation card is real?""She's right! Maybe you made a mistake!" Karen yelled louder than anyone else.Karen knew best about Aria's situation. She would never receive a real invitation!Lily bit on her lower lip and pulled on her mother's sleeve. "Mom, this is the York family's villa."Only then did Karen regain her rationality, and she didn't get into an argument with the bodyguards. Her daughter was right. They were at the York family's villa, and she mustn't cause a scene. Jimmy thought otherwise. He'd always l
"Ah," Karen said.Salome sneered. "As if she could get the invitation card anywhere. I had someone deliver it to her.""You did?" Lily was confused. Salome felt a bad headache come on. "My family received three invitation cards. I wanted Constantine to deliver a fake one to her, but he must've gotten it wrong and sent her a real one instead.""That damn girl benefited from this, then!" Karen said vehemently, "You should've given it to me instead, Dr. Gunther."Salome lost all her patience. "I can bring you in with me, so it's the same anyway!"She walked toward the bodyguard and pushed her invitation card forward haughtily. After inspecting the card, the bodyguard stood aside and let her in. Only then did Salome feel like she'd regained some of her dignity. However, her mood plunged soon after, as Karen shouted, "Dr. Gunther, Dr. Gunther! They're refusing to let me in!"Salome turned back and looked at the bodyguard who'd stopped Karen from entering. "What's going on here
The newcomer was dressed fashionably, with pale skin and handsome features. With the pair of red headphones around his neck, he didn't look much like a doctor, but rather a rapper.He sat down beside Aria, muttering, "My grandpa also tells me to do stuff like this. Take care of his old friend's granddaughter, hah. Do I look like I know how to do that?"He looked Aria up and down, his gaze sharp. "You shocked everyone just now, young lady. For you to say that you came from Heartbound Hall, you sure are bold."Aria studied his face for a while, and she said, her gaze meaningful, "Malcolm?"Malcolm's eyes opened wide instantly. He wondered why the young woman before him sounded like his boss when she'd uttered his name. He was convinced he had hallucinated it; anything else was absurd!Malcolm looked at his phone. His boss had never said that she'd come to the seminar, and the last message in their chat was still her refusing an order.That was what he thought! His amazing, powerful
"You're leading a team even if you're useless yourself?" The person who'd interrupted Aria was Constantine, who'd come late. His arm was still limp even now, all thanks to Aria.Constantine sneered coldly, looking at Aria. "Your family is absolutely laughable, Malcolm. Did you really bring some random nobody here?"Malcolm was unperturbed. "And is that any of your business?"Constantine didn't respond to that. Instead, he said to Taron, "Don't say that I didn't remind you, Taron. You shouldn't hang out with good-for-nothing like them all the time. Look carefully at her. Who is she?"Taron had never liked how arrogant he was, so he retorted, "Like I give a damn about that. I don't make friends based on their family background.""That's why I said that you're stupid. You can't tell a pill from another, that's fine, but you don't even know that she's your ex-cousin-in-law." Constantine pointed at Aria. "She's the fake daughter who was kicked out by the Kent family!"What?Taron was
Aria hoisted her wooden chair up and went over to another spot. She sat down again, her legs crossed as she said coolly, "Where did this ugly mug come from? You sure do talk a lot."Ugly mug?A dead silence filled the hall. The expression on Christian's face sure was something. Even his lips were trembling as he gaped in disbelief. "What did you just say?""I said you're ugly." Aria chuckled nonchalantly. "Hear that? If you didn't hear me clearly, maybe consider getting your ears treated.""You little…" Christian's chest heaved in anger. Almost everyone wore expressions of shock. Lily was especially taken aback. Her hands were clasped together as she frowned. What was that?Didn't Aria have feelings for Christian? She'd witnessed how Aria had put herself down just for Christian. So why was this happening now?Lily took a deep breath. Christian looked like a clown still stuck onstage. "Did you forget how you begged me just to look at you for a second, Aria?""No woman i
"Thank you for coming despite how busy you are, everyone. I'm very thankful."Lorelia walked down the stairs, clad in a black evening gown. She raised her head and looked at the people in the hall, her bearing intimidating. Malcolm took a deep breath abruptly. "It's been a long time since I'd last seen her, but she's as formidable as always."Aria raised a brow. "You know her?""She's the eldest daughter of the York family. She joined the army before, but I think she's managing a business now," Malcolm added, "You'd better not let loose in front of her. She can send you flying with just a punch."Aria heeded his advice. She lowered her head and chewed on another piece of candy, looking innocuous. Lorelia was a beautiful woman with sharp and deep-set features. It was obvious that she'd been taught well despite her fierce appearance. "My family has prepared a small gift for everyone." She clapped her hands, and a gift box rose beside everyone's seats. The box's contents were
"Yes, it's elvenroot," Aria said, "When you store elvenroot, you should avoid exposing it to strong sunlight, and the temperature shouldn't be higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It's 75 degrees outdoors now. This is also when the UV radiation is the most intense."I'm storing the herb inside my bag so as to preserve its medicinal value. Does a member of the Gunther family not even possess such basic medical knowledge?"The room erupted in chatter the moment she said that. Constantine was still sneering at her. "As if I'd buy any of that bull—""Be quiet, Constantine!" Salome barked.Constantine was stunned. He turned sideways to look at the expression on Salome's face and also at everyone's gazes that were focused on him. Panic showed on his face. Had Aria really hit the nail on the head?Someone laughed, saying, "I expected nothing less from Georgina's student. She has a good intuition when it comes to identifying herbs." The speaker was Wendell Claude, the head of the Clau
"Please enter, everyone!" Lorelia gestured with a flourish. The walls of the hall seemed to ripple for a moment, then receded to reveal several ornately decorated consultation rooms.The doctors would have to form groups and treat those patients. Salome was the first to make a move. She was eager to show everyone what the Gunther family was capable of, especially to Aria. All the patients the York family had found were difficult to treat. Every group of doctors who had entered the consultation rooms stayed a long time in there and came out looking solemn. The doctors from the Gunther and Short families were the only exceptions; they came out with smiles on their faces. Even Zephyr found it somewhat difficult. Fortunately, he also managed to issue a prescription. Many doctors couldn't even figure out what illnesses those patients were afflicted with. They came out muttering under their breaths like students who'd just been done with their exams."What illness is the third pa
The eight figures sat together, ostensibly discussing Aria's arrival. In truth, their agenda was far less noble—they were determined to keep the items they had long appropriated, refusing to return what rightfully belonged to others. After holding onto these possessions for so long, they had convinced themselves they were entitled to them.Their plan was to maintain a façade of respect toward the Carver family to avoid public scrutiny. However, they were equally resolute in protecting their own interests. They intended to demonstrate the influence of Ludwiten's business elite on Aria. It would be much better if she could be persuaded to invest billions in their ventures.It was a strategy they'd employed before, notably with Owen, and found it amusing.Yet Percy, despite his youth, was not so easily deceived. His calm demeanor and precise legal arguments left little room for manipulation. The Carver family's resilience, after all, stemmed largely from their grandchildren.Sti
Tobias once said that Aria was the most gifted person in the Decatorian way. Yet, for all her supposed talent, she couldn't use the Emperor Coins just by casually throwing them on her first attempt. She had to study them before she could wield them effectively.Thankfully, Leon chose the entertainment industry. If he had chosen to be inducted in the Decatorian way, the disciples of Mount Dracotigris would have been disheartened. "Leon, have you ever considered going into another industry?" Aria asked. Leon shook his head, a rebellious smirk on his face. "Aria, look at me. This face was born to be a celebrity. It'd be a crime to waste it."Aria sighed, accustomed to his narcissism. It was hard to argue—Leon's rebellious charm and striking looks had won over both women and men. Yet, his popularity brought challenges of its own."I still have Emperor Coins with me," Aria said, pulling out a beaded bracelet adorned with the coins and securing it around Leon's wrist. "Take it. For yo
Warren's eyes reddened as he gazed at Fergus, the grandson he had once hoped to raise personally. In that moment, he felt his life had been worthwhile. As one grew older, they came to understand a fundamental truth—if their descendants could grasp their thoughts, rather than dismissing the ways of the past as irrelevant, it was something to celebrate. Warren could now pass on everything to his grandchildren, finally feeling worthy within the Carver family.…Meanwhile, Leon furrowed his brows in the second-floor bedroom. "What are they talking about?""It's probably about Ludwiten. They have some business to settle. Why?" Aria had intentionally given Fergus and Warren some time to talk. As for her, she stayed with Leon in his room, playing games and snacking.When she heard his question, she smiled. "Are you interested as well, Leon?""I'm not cut out for business." Leon couldn't sit still and kept pacing back and forth. His silver hair, falling perfectly, made him look like a
That night, Warren stood before the memorial hall and spoke to his ancestors."Aria will be returning to Ludwiten tonight. Things will be different this time. There will be many obstacles ahead of her, but we must return eventually. Aria will finish what I couldn't. Please protect her."The Carver family was forced to shift their business from Ludwiten to Janovin at the time. And back then, they believed they could return at any moment. Yet, over 70 years had passed since then.Both Warren and Stephen were sentimental individuals, always hoping to return to Ludwiten. However, circumstances had shifted over the years. Moreover, the business landscape in Ludwiten had grown increasingly complex, with rising foreign investments. Their commitments in Janovin, especially after Owen married Fiona, kept them from returning.Warren had expected Owen to stay in Ludwiten, as he had promised the Grisham family. But Owen broke that promise.Warren's greatest wish had always been to return to
Although the crow was unsure of its owner's thoughts, it was indeed afraid of the dagger made out of Oracle bones.In fact, it wasn't made of ordinary animal bones. It was from the Oracle, one of the Four Perils. Most importantly, it carried spiritual energy from heaven and earth.Back then, the crow didn't expect the insignificant sect, which was consistently at the bottom of each tournament, to have the purest spiritual energy. Plus, all of their members were not to be underestimated. The crow would have never believed it if it hadn't come to live in the mountains with Landon. After all, Landon was bewitched to become the woman's boy toy. He stayed behind only because he liked the sect's spiritual energy. At that, the crow shifted its body and didn't continue to disturb Landon. Since Landon mentioned he needed the knife sheath, the crow would go and get it. Apart from the curved dagger in the wooden box, there was also a somewhat inconspicuous emerald and a turtle shell-lik
The box included a protective membrane. Carrying bones around would raise questions in modern days. Even Aria worried about inspections. Sometimes, Tobias acted just like those arcane seekers from Mount Dracotigris. When her fingertips touched it, heat surged through her bloodline. The blade felt like it belonged in her hands; even its tassel was exquisitely crafted. But she remembered something when she entered the manifestation and got the Soul-Summoning Plaque. She had been an arcane seeker in her past life, hadn't she? Could an arcane seeker use a blade? She had mostly seen them wielding swords, just like those TV shows with flying swordsmen. Perhaps she had to use a blade because she came from a smaller guild. As Aria traced the bone blade, her initial attraction grew into fascination. Tobias wouldn't leave her just any blade. Since she'd encountered it in the manifestation, it must be connected to her. "Do you like it?" Suddenly, Landon's voice came close. It was low,
Breaking the Eight Trigrams Manifestation required precision instead of force. The path led from the East Gate of Life through the Southwest Gate of Rest, finally striking through the North Gate of Opening. But this was not just about breaking a manifestation. The lock had eight marks—Life, Rest, Harm, Block, Vision, Death, Awakening, and Opening. These were the eight gates within the manifestation. As Aria studied the corresponding numbers, she was suddenly struck with inspiration. Following the sequence, she pressed them. The lock then opened with a click. She raised an eyebrow, recognizing the familiar combination. "0715, my birthday." Aria casually opened the box. "Typical of Mr. Revelare to choose that date." She knew she was born on Twilight Hallows, a day when parents would urge children home early. Owen had always believed Aria's birth signs were not the best, and he thought this was likely because of this day. People considered it the Day of Spirits. On this day, a
Earlier, Aria had really wanted to keep some family ties for Georgina. After all, Georgina had given Aria all the love meant for her granddaughter, Lily. When the Kents drove her out, Aria had seen Georgina staring at a pair of handmade baby booties. She had made them herself and wanted to give them to Lily. But Karen had scorned them and did not even allow her to see the child. Aria knew Georgina still yearned to see Lily. Blood ties were different. Aria could approach everything else with logic, but not Georgina. When everyone else abandoned her, Georgina stayed. She always said, "We can't let Aria go hungry. Of course, she needs school. Whatever Aria wants, we'll save up for it. The same goes for Sam." Everyone had their weak spots, and for those they loved, anyone would surely lower their defenses. After all, they still held on to hope. Though Georgina never said it, Aria understood she'd held hope for Lily. That was why Aria had not been harsh enough with Lily. But tha
Lily definitely had not learned her mistake—there must be more to it. Though Aria had investigated, nothing turned up. Now she understood why Lily kept coming here. Aside from using Georgina's connections, she was after what was in the box. "Grandma, the first layer wasn't locked. Do you know what was inside?" Of course Georgina knew. "When the old priest gave me the box, he said anyone could read the books about medicine and the arcane in the first layer, especially you. They were all rare copies." Everything suddenly connected in Aria's mind. No wonder Lily's skills seemed endless; this explained it. Aria turned to Georgina. She preferred to be direct, so she said, "Grandma, I think I know who took them. Recently, a few people visited your place, but there was one you knew well—Lily. She's been using these medical texts to treat people. "Her medical skills are fine, but I worry she's misusing the arcane books for personal gain." Georgina swayed slightly at these words. Li